THE leadership crisis surrounding Premier Ted Baillieu has deepened, with senior colleagues warning of a ''culture of secrecy and paranoia'' in his office and inherent ''structural problems''.

In claims reminiscent of those levelled at Kevin Rudd before he was dumped as prime minister by his own party, one senior source described ''a sense of secrecy and paranoia'' about Mr Baillieu's office.

''It doesn't even operate on a need to know basis: those who need to know are often the last to know. The mess isn't just a blip, it is a serious structural problem that needs to be fixed.''

Ted Baillieu. Photo: Paul Rovere

The comments follow a searing critique this week levelled by former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett. Mr Kennett, previously a close ally who convinced him to run for his seat, said the performance of Mr Baillieu and his senior team of advisers selling the government's message had been ''far from good enough''.

Advertisement

It is understood that the handling of the government's economic statement late last year was the source of particular consternation at the cabinet level. The statement - Securing Victoria's Economy: Planning. Building. Delivering - had been scheduled to coincide with the two-year anniversary of the Coalition's November 27 election win. But according to one account, it was delayed for almost a month because relevant ministers were involved only at the last minute.

''There were issues identified very late in the process, ensuring it was released right before Christmas. It had no impact when it should have been a highly positive [document] for us.''

Supporters of Planning Minister Matthew Guy, who is in the upper house, claim he is a handful of votes short of the numbers needed for a successful leadership challenge. But such suggestions have been ridiculed, given a safe lower house seat would need to be found for Mr Guy ahead of the next election.

The situation has been complicated by the Coalition's one-seat majority, a looming redrawing of electoral boundaries and the government's disastrous performance in published polls. Party strategists have also warned that Mr Guy, while highly effective as a minister, lacks the experience needed to be premier.

Other cabinet sources have warned that Mr Baillieu has until the May 7 budget to turn the situation around, perhaps by announcing a deal to build a major project such as the east-west road link or the Melbourne metro rail tunnel that could act as a circuit-breaker.

Mr Baillieu on Friday hit back at Mr Kennett's comments by warning his former political backer to ''let go''.

Asked if he was concerned numbers were being counted against him, Mr Baillieu said he was delivering what he said he would. ''In politics there's always someone biting at your ankles,'' he said.

Mr Guy on Friday defended Mr Baillieu, but conceded the government could do more to promote its achievements.